Shock-absorber.



C. A. GLASS.

SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. a. 1915. RENEWED 05c. 12, 1916.

mm m

2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

Patented July 10, 1917.

C. A. GLASS.

SHOCK ABSORBER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. a. 1915. RENEWED DEC. 12.1916.

Patented July 10, 1917.

F 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNIT TATfi AN CHARLES A. GLASS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHOCK-ABSORBER.

Application filed. November 8, 1915, Serial N0.60,333.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ()rmnnns A. GLASS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorbers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shock-absorbers and has for its object theprovision of a simple and efiicient device which may be readily appliedto automobiles or other vehicles to overcome the vibration caused bytraveling over rough roads and which may be used as a substitute for orin connection with the usual elliptical .or other springs with which thevehicle is equipped.

The invention seeks to provide a device for the stated purpose whichwill be protected against an accumulation of dust and will be soconstructed and arranged as to respond quickly to unevennesses of theroad. The invention also contemplates the provision of novel means forattaching the device to the vehicle axle and to the vehicle body andaims to improve the details of construction and arrangement of the partsto the end that the durability and efficiency of the same may beincreased.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and consistsin certain novel features which will be hereinafter first fullydescribed and then more particularly pointed out in the claims followingthe description.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improvedshock absorber;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig.2;

Fig. 4: is a detail view of a retarding device;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the clip for retaining the springs inpositlon;

'Fig. 6 is a detail view of .the shield or shutter;

Fig. '7 is a detail plan view of one of the lower supporting arms;

Fig. 8 is a detail view of an emergency stop device. 0

In the drawings, 1 designates a portion of the vehicle body and 2designates the axle which may be of the usual or any preferredconstruction. In carrying out my invention, I employ a plurality ofuprights :or :studs 3 Patented July 14), 191?.

Renewed December 12, 1916. Serial No. 136,542.

which are spaced apart and have firmly attached to their upper and lowerends, respectively, the top and bottom plates 1 and 5. The extremitiesof the studs or uprights are reduced and angular. so as to pass throughangular openings in the top and bottom plates and beyond the saidreduced angular portions securing nuts 6 are mounted upon the studs soas to firmly secure the plates thereon. Fitted around diametricallyopposite studs, against the inner faces of the top and bottom plates,are clips 7 pro vided each at one end with an eye 8 to engage the studand at its opposite end with an eye 9 disposed in a plane at rightangles to the plane of the first mentioned eye so as to engage over theend coil of a spring which is disposed vertically within the spacedefined by these studs or uprights. The lower of these springs, 10, issomewhat stronger than the upper spring, 11, and the opposed adjacentends of the springs are connected to a sliding platform or plate 12which is provided with an extension or lateral arm 13 adapted to besecured to the vehicle body. At diametrically opposite points andbetween adjacent studs, this platform or sliding plate is constructedwith notches let in its edge, which notches accommodate clips 15 havingeyes 16 at their opposite ends to engage around the springs 10 and 11,as shown most clearly in Fig. 1. The sliding platform is also providedat diametrically opposite points with pairs of projecting pins 17 onwhich are mounted rollers 18 passing on opposite sides of adjacentstuds. It will thus be readily seen. that the studs serve to guide theplatform in its vertical movements and also prevent twisting of the sameso that it will be always in proper position to support the vehicle bodywith com-- fort to its occupants. Upon the studs 3, which are engaged bythe rollers 18, I secure leaf-springs 19 which are each free at one end,one spring having its upper end free while the other spring has itslower end free. These springs are normally bowed and bear against therollers, as shown in Fig. 4:, so that, when the platform movesdownwardly, one spring will retard the movement of the platform andthereby avoid sudden jars to the occupants of the vehicle, and on theupward movement of the platform, the opposite spring'will perform thesame function.

The bottom plate 5 is provided with. a

lateral extension which constitutes the up ward or rearward, as shownat21, to pass over the axle 2, as shown most clearly in Fig. l. Openingsare provided in this extension or supporting arm 21 to receive thethreaded ends of U-shaped bolts 22 whereby the arm may be securelyfastened tothe axle. To more firmly secure the device in position andguard against lateral oscillation of the same, I provide lowersupporting arms 23 which are each provided at one end with an opening tofit over the lower end of one of the studs 3 and is provided atits'center and at its opposite end with openings to engage the sides ofthe U-shaped bolts 22, as will be readily understoodupon reference toFig. 1. These lower supporting arms pass beneath the axle and betweenthe same and the cross bar or head of the U-shaped bolt, so that, whenthe bolt is secured in place, the device will be firmly fitted to theaxle and will have a strong bearing against both the top and bottom ofthe same. It will be understood, of course, that the device may besecured directly on the top of the axle and the particular manner ofattaching the device to the axle and the body may be varied according tothe dimensions and arrangements of the various vehicles to which it maybe applied. The springs and the parts cooperating therewith are inclosedby a housing 24: which will preferably be constructed in two similarparts, one of which will be firmly secured to the top and bottom plates& and 5 while the other will be hinged to such part to facilitateassembling of the device and the inspection, ad justment or repair ofany of the working elements. In the drawings, more particu- 1 larly Fig.2, I have shown the members of the housing connected at one side byhinges 25 and held together at a diametrically opposite point by a latchbolt 26. This par ticular arrangement, however, is not essential. Onemember of the housing is provided with a vertical slot 27 to permit thearm 13 to pass through the housing to the vehicle body and a shutter orshield 28 is provided within the housing to cover the said slot andprevent access of dust or dirt therethrough to the interior of thehousing. This shutter or shield consists of a plate of sheet metal orother suitable material having a slot between its ends whereby it may bepassed over the arm 13 and provided at the ends of said slot with lugs29 through which fastening devices may be inserted into the edge of thearm 13 or slide 12 to secure the shutter in place.

It is thought the operation of the device will be readily understoodfrom the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. The springs 10 and 11 tend to hold the platform or slide '7 12at about the center of the housing so that the body will be normally atthe desired distance above the axle. As the vehicle passes overobstructions or depressions in the.

platform will be guided without undue fric tion by the several studs oruprights and will be prevented from oscillating laterally thereby. Theparts are all. simple'in their construction and arrangement and are,consequently, not apt to get out of order. Should accident or othercause break or otherwise damage any of the parts, they maybeeasilyrepaired or replaced without requiring the provision of anentirely new shock-absorber. 1

It will be understood, of course, that the device may be inverted andthe arm 13' secured to the axle while the member 21is secured to thebodyv without'involving any departure from the inventionl If eitherthespring 10 or ll'should break, the'platform may be held stationary withinthe housing by means of a yoke 30 which is adapted to be secured to oneof 'the studs with its arms or terminals'projecting'respectively aboveand below the platform or slide. When this yoke, or' a pair of suchyokes, embraces the edge of the platform vertical movementof "theplatform will be prevented and the vehicle may then be driven until anew spring can be obtained and put in place.

Having thus described the invention,

what is claimed as new is: V V

1. In a shock absorber, the combination .of av support,aplatform'mounted slidably within the support, coiled springs disposedabove and below the platform and between the same and the ends of thesupport,'and

bowed leaf-springs each secured at; one end upon the support andextending in oppo site directions and arranged to be engaged by theplatform, ment thereof and the other on "the downward movement thereof.

2. In a shock absorber, the combination of a plurality of uprights, asliding platform disposed between the uprights, coiled springs dlsposedabove and below the platform and connected to the same and to theuprights, leafsprings secured upon the sides of some of'the-uprights,and rollers carried by the platform and adapted to ride upon the said1eaf-springs.

one on the upward move- 3. In a shock-absorber, the combination of aplurality of uprights, top and bottom plates secured upon the ends ofsaid uprights clips having eyes fitted around some of the uprightsagainst the inner faces of said top and bottom plates, a platformslidably mounted between the uprights, and springs disposed above andbelow the platform and bearing upon the same and having their terminalsremote from the platform engaged and held by the said clips.

4:. In a shock-absorber, the combination of a plurality of uprights, topand bottom plates secured to the ends of said uprights, clips arrangedaround said uprights against the inner faces of said top and bottomplates, a platform slidably mounted between and guided by the uprights,springs having their outer ends engaged in and held by the said clips,and clips fitted to the plat form and engaging the inner ends of saidsprings.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature.

CHARLES A. GLASS. [L.s.]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Yatents, Washington, D. G.

